The
Ministry of Tourism has helped the State Tourism Department
with a
financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh to initiate the development
of the model
tourism villages of Kerala. The major objective of this
project is to involve the rural people in developing tourism
so that they may reap the socio-economic benefits through
an increase in the income and with more job opportunities
for them.
The proximity to Cochin, the tourism capital of Kerala,
also helped the
beautiful island of Kumbalangi in getting the status of
a model tourism village. The large cluster of Chinese
nets, fish farms, house-hold industries like copra and
coir-making and typical local cuisines largely attract
the tourists. Besides, religious and cultural ceremonies
are part of this island village of 35,000 population.
It is an ideal destination for tourists who want to discover
something new and exciting - a lovely backwater village
having lush green paddy fields intimately interlocked
with vast stretches of water. Kumbalangi offers the tourists
vibrant festivals and exotic local cuisines. The boatman’s
song adds colour to it. It also gives one an opportunity
to understand the villagers and their life style better.
The tourist feels relaxed.
Balancing
the Eco system
At the same time, steps are being taken to preserve the
environment and
eco-system of Kumbalangi. Besides, the decision not to
build any new
structures also attracts interest of the environment-concerned
travellers. Only the available current facilities will
be improved further for the development of tourism. The
project proposes to initiate work for better sanitary
conditions, solid waste disposal, development of walkways
and boat jetties, improving upon the bridge connecting
the island to the mainland, water harvesting and boat
cruising.
Fish
Farming at Kumbalangi
The cage culture type of fish farming at Kumbalangi is
apt to be an added
attraction to the foreigners as well as the domestic tourists.
Fish is cultivated in cages in the natural way. This method
is usually practised in the Scandinavian countries. Traditional
crab farming and “I catch, you fry” style
of backwater cruise are also available for the tourists.
They get a chance to accompany the local fisherman in
their daily outings to the backwaters. The network of
water bodies caresses the village before merging into
the Arabian Sea. Not surprisingly, exotic varieties of
the backwater catch spice up every meal. The village is
also home to lush green paddy fields where the famous
‘pokkali’ organic rice is cultivated.
Backwater
Package Tours
Many package tours and other programmes are being prepared
in connection with the model tourism village project.
These mainly concentrate in back water cruising, both
in daytime and night, besides boating in the countryside
and along the mangrove
Cultural
Programme Packages
Presentation
of the traditional cultural programmes is also part of
the packages. The night cruising is accompanied by the
boatman’s song. Plans to arrange special huts near
the Chinese nets are also on the anvil.
Infrastructure
Development
Besides the Tourism Ministry’s financial support
to promote rural tourism destinations, the State government
has invested Rs. 75 lakh to develop the roads of Kumbalangi.
The village panchayat is also actively cooperating .
The tourist season at Cochin starts in November. The city
has been witnessing an increase in the number of tourists
with each passing year. The hotels in Cochin and its surrounding
areas remain full with domestic and international tourists
during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The forecast
by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has already
projected a very rosy future for the tourism industry
in Kerala.
Writer is Information
Assistant, PIB, Kochi
